Tide of Deceit

Cassie Taylor’s aunt Betsy is missing from her gated Palm Coast community. But when Cassie goes looking, she finds a body, and more questions–who was the murdered man to her aunt? Why did she mail Cassie a fabulous, expensive diamond bracelet? And what does her aunt’s tearful neighbor know that she’s not telling? And not least, does hunky deputy Tanner just want to keep Cassie from meddling in his case? Or is he staying close because he feels the same tidal attraction she does?

Tanner Reid is a good man and a dedicated deputy. He can’t get involved personally with the lovely, spirited Cassie–not when she’s involved in a tangled case of murder and possible kidnapping. He must first find the murderer and her aunt. But when diamond robberies deepen the plot, danger threatens Cassie herself. When he’d like nothing more than to roll over her like a coastal high tide, can he keep her safe, and keep his hands off? And will they solve the case before someone else dies–possibly Cassie herself?

I’m met with the hard chin of a man. His mouth is pressed into a thin line that seems to tighten his entire expression. But his eyes. His dark eyes are a mixture of blue, brown, and gray, all at the same time and so full of concern, I catch my breath. Oh. My. Gosh. I’m in the arms of a complete stranger.

I need to say something to Cassie to keep her from crying. Is it possible Betsy could be in some kind of trouble? Sure. But the odds are not likely. I don’t know if it’s the way she felt in my arms outside, or if I’m just becoming soft, but I can’t let her cry.

“You poor dear. This is just awful.” A pair of soft arms reach around my neck, and then I’m enveloped in bosom and a cloud of Chanel. There’s no need to hold my breath, however, because the woman’s squeezing me so tightly, I can’t breathe anyway. After a very long hello hug, she releases me.

I can’t blame her for wanting a drink, but alcohol and that level of tired don’t mix well, especially when she’s not walking home from here.

Sure there’s the cop side of me who notices peoples’ drinking habits, but I don’t typically worry about them.

My arms move around her. This time, she makes no move to get away. She looks up at me like she did yesterday and blinks a couple of times. There are no tears in her eyes this time. They’re just blue.

It’s so frustrating. I don’t ever want men to take care of me. I avoid relationships with all people who are too clingy and won’t let me do simple things for myself, like pull out my own chair. Since I’ve known Tanner, he’s held me, driven me where I need to go, interfered when a jerk hit on me, opened almost every door, and even guided me with his hand on my lower back.

And I liked it.

“I wasn’t sure if you were going to punch him or kiss him.”

“Punch him, for sure.” But only because kissing him didn’t work out so well for me last night.

I live outside Washington, D.C. with my wonderfully supportive husband and two daughters, one of which is approaching her teenage years. Help us all! If that isn’t enough, we have a Great Dane and an English Bulldog to keep us on our toes. It’s crazy around here, and I love every minute of it! Writing is my third career. I didn’t set out to be a writer, it was just meant to be. My Mechanical Engineering degree from Virginia Tech prepared me well for my first career as an Engineer/Program Manager. My second career was in Human Resources. Long story, but I figured it out. I believe the best start for a writing career is to be a reader first, and I’ve been an avid reader my whole life. I’ve loved to read ever since I picked up my first Nancy Drew mystery in the fourth grade. Now, I love reading just about everything, but I don’t read sad books. I don’t watch sad movies either for that matter, no matter how many awards they’ve won. Life’s too short, and who needs all that strife to bring us down? Many of my words have been penned late into the evening, which explains why I’ve never viewed whatever television show you recommend to me. I would, however, love to hear your recommendations for a great read!